President Obama is to challenge a weakened Republican Party today by talking
directly to the American people about measures to get the economy moving.

His fifth State of the Union address will focus on boosting jobs and helping
the middle classes, and although he will pay lip service to working with the
Republicans, he is ready to appeal over their heads for more tax increases
in the name of economic fairness.

After the speech he will spend the week on the road — back in campaign mode —
taking his message to events in North Carolina, Atlanta and Chicago.
Administration officials think